Ecuador suspends electricity rationing as rains return

 
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QUITO – Ecuador said that electricity rationing in place since mid-April due to a crippling drought is to be suspended, thanks to rains returning and neighbour Colombia resuming energy exports.
Ninety-two percent of the country’s electricity comes from hydroelectric plants.
Starting Monday, after heavy rains over the weekend, there would be no more cuts, at least temporarily, Energy Minister Roberto Luque told journalists.
Ecuadorans had seen cuts of up to 13 hours at a time as dams feeding hydropower plants ran dry due to a drought blamed on the El Nino weather phenomenon.
At the same time, Colombia suspended electricity sales to its neighbour, as water supply to its own hydropower plants also reached near-critical levels and the country experienced its own drinking water cuts.
Exports were resumed after Colombian power generation was supplemented by thermoelectric plants and rains brought additional relief.
Luque said the situation will continue to be evaluated, and rationing could return.